A Fairytale Come True: A Day Amongst Storybook Royalty
Dear Make-A-Wish,
Thank you for letting me go on my wish trip. I had so much fun! I'm so glad I finally got to meet all the Disney Princesses! One day, when I grow up, I want to be a Disney Princess at Disney World and help other kids' wishes come true. I had the best time ever in my whole life!
Emma’s wish was a fairytale.
Once upon a time, Emma wished to go to Walt Disney World® Resort so she could meet all the Disney princesses, and thanks to the generosity of Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington donors, her wish came true. It was an experience she will never forget.
Emma’s heart journey started on day one. Within hours of birth, she was airlifted by Life Flight Northwest to the nearest children’s hospital hours away for life-saving surgery. She was born with a severe and life-threatening heart condition. In those first few weeks of her life, Emma needed several heart surgeries. When her condition continued to deteriorate, her family was told a heart transplant was her last hope, and so she was transferred to Seattle Childrens’ Hospital and listed for transplant.
At only 5 months old, Emma received a new heart – a gift of life.
In the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Emma’s nurses would turn on Frozen because it helped her relax. Those long days in the hospital may be where her love of princesses bloomed. The princesses and their enchanting songs were a fun distraction, and just like the princesses she adored so much, Emma was brave and strong just like them, so she crowned herself Princess Emma.
Emma was just a baby when her family found out she would one day get a wish. It was something to look forward to as they watched her grow. When she was old enough, she was asked what she would wish for, and princesses were of course on her wish list.
“She thinks every day is the best day ever and starts her morning out by putting on her tiara,” said Catherine, Emma’s mom. “Emma is brave, creative, and joyful, and she loves all things fancy, pink, and sparkly. She has fought hard to be alive, and she lives life to the fullest.”
When Emma found out her wish would be granted and she’d get to meet princesses, she couldn’t stop smiling. One day, a special scroll came in the mail addressed to Princess Emma. It was an invitation to a very special event.
“It was an absolute dream come true for her,” said her dad, Mickey.
Emma got to join other wish kids at Disney World for the largest wish-granting event ever. “Once Upon A Wish Party” was a special wish experience dreamed up just for wish kids and their families. The event featured hundreds of Disney cast members, including all the iconic Disney princesses, a tea party in Wonderland and a Royal Ball.
“We didn't think about appointments, surgeries, or expenses,” said Mickey. “We just got to escape to a place filled with joy and magic and enjoy it together as a family, and that was such an incredible gift.”
Aurora is Emma’s favorite princess because she wears a pink ball gown. When Emma saw Aurora at the Royal Ball, she looked up and said, “I’m getting my wish!”
Meeting Aurora and giving her a big hug was one of the highlights of her wish trip. That moment wasn’t just memorable for Emma, it was memorable for her family as well. All those memories from the hospital melted away for a moment, and the look on Emma’s face – a wide smile and bright joyful eyes – were reason to smile and celebrate how far she has come. From a failing heart to a royal ball, Emma wish was more than she could have imagined.
Today, Emma still talks about her wish and how she got to meet all the princesses.
Special thanks to her Make-A-Wish volunteer team Kimberly Carper and Traci Mooney and Walt Disney World® Resort.